Officials investigate mass baptism of players, coach on high school football field in Georgia

VILLA RICA, Ga. – A school district says it's investigating a mass baptism on a public high school football field after video footage was posted online.

Officials say the incident happened Aug. 14 at Villa Rica High School, about 30 miles west of Atlanta.

WXIA-TV (http://on.11alive.com/1JB8TGQ ) reports that First Baptist Villa Rica church posted the video on YouTube. It has since been removed, but WXIA says it showed football players being submersed in a water tub on school grounds. Church officials wrote that they had baptized players and a coach.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation sent a letter to the district Tuesday asking that officials ensure there are no more religious events that violate students' constitutional rights on school grounds.

An official from the foundation says the coach misused his authority to promote religious beliefs.